Nature's Power: Disasters, Climate, and Weather - High School Module

English
Pedagogical Module 5
What can nature do?
Curricular Threads: Communication and Cultural Awareness,
Oral Communication, Reading, Writing, Language Through the Arts
First Course BGU
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5
ie
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Write a cause and
effect paragraph
Climate and
natural disasters
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nc
3
6
So
Simple past passive
al
ci
The worst natural
disasters in history
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gl
En
s
7
Identifying different
parts of the world
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p
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The Power
of Nature
Ge
1
ie
Natural disasters and
weather vocabulary
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Past time expressions
Values
8
Lifelong learning
A natural disaster is a major catastrophic
event caused by natural processes of the Earth.
Some examples of natural disasters are floods,
hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions,
earthquakes, tsunamis, and other geological
processes.
that the situation is grave, not only for
scientists and politicians, but also for industries
and business. Climate change may also have
consequences on the laws and rules in society.
For example, governments can create laws to
regulate pollution and carbon emissions. They
can also create laws to make sure the citizens are
safe in case of any natural disaster. We have to do
something, before it’s too late.
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Another cause of extreme natural events is
climate change. This is a very serious problem
nowadays. The records for average annual
temperatures are broken over and over. It is clear
Source: https://cutt.ly/pfjFmFu
Do natural disasters scare you?
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Lesson A
Communication and Cultural Awareness
How does the weather affect human behavior and culture?
Weather, Climate, and Culture
Climate conditions can really affect human behavior and culture.
The climate has a powerful influence on our mood, activities, food, and
even fashion. The climate determines energy usage, transportation,
infrastructure, and water supplies. It certainly shapes cultures!
As Ecuadorians, we have the privilege of living in a place with warm
and mild climate, but other countries are not as lucky. Some people face
great climate challenges such as extreme heat or cold.
Flicker/ Maarten Takens
Source: https://bit.ly/32lhEo9
Oymyakon, Russia
Oymyakon, Russia: the Col bited Place on Earth
There is a little place in Russia called Oymyakon. It has only 500
inhabitants. The people that live there used to be nomads, but then
they were forced to settle in this region. The coldest temperature ever
registered in Oymyakon was -71 degrees Celsius. In this city, food is
sold frozen and cars are left with their motors running all the time. The
most common food is spaghetti with frozen blood.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgzkrfksvP4
Dallol, Ethiopia: the Hottest Place on Earth
Dallol may be the least explored place in the world. It is the home
of the Afar people, a nomad group that survives thanks to the Awash
River. The landscape of Dallol is similar to the planet Mars due to its
dryness. The temperature can rise up to 41 degrees Celsius.
Source: https://cutt.ly/hfjRR5L & https://cutt.ly/pfjREzu
Freepik
Answer the following questions:
1. What is the coldest inhabited place on Earth?
Dallol, Ethiopia
Vocabulary
nomad. a person who moves
from place to place instead
of living in only one place
2. What is the hottest inhabited place on Earth?
3. How can culture be shaped by climate?
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settle. to move to a place
and make it your home
inhabitant. a person or animal
that lives in a particular place
dryness. the quality of having
very little water or liquid
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Oral Communication
Why are there different seasons?
Four Seasons Around the World
Many students have asked their teachers why there are four seasons in
many countries, while we don’t have them in Ecuador. Students also
wonder why different seasons exist.
Listen to a friend who has
traveled around many
countries talk about how
seasons are different in
the Northern and Southern
Hemispheres. Complete the
following sentences based
on what you hear.
Some people believe that what causes seasons is the distance between
the Earth and the Sun, but this is not true. What causes seasons is the
planet’s axis of rotation of 23.5 degrees.
Our country is always in the same position, no matter what the
Earth’s position is. This happens because we are between the Northern
Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. That is the reason why we
only have dry and rainy seasons. Even though sometimes we would
like to have snow in winter and warmer weather in summer, we do not
have the four seasons.
Source: https://scijinks.gov/earths-seasons/
The Earth tilts
relative to its orbital plane.
Throughout the year, different
parts of Earth receive the
Sun’s
When it is summer in the
Northern Hemisphere, it is
in the Southern Hemisphere.
As Ecuadorians, we do
not have four seasons
because we are between the
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Vocabulary
axis. a real or imaginary
straight line going through
the center of an object that
is spinning
Winter
Spring
Autumn
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Earth’s rotation
Summer
Reading
What happens in extreme weather conditions?
Balto, the Sled Dog Hero
Interesting Facts
Sometimes extreme weather
conditions bring difficulties
to people. Cold and snowy
places may be hard for
transportation of food
and supplies, commuting,
agriculture, and other
activities. Despite that, many
people live in places with
extreme weather conditions,
such as Alaska, where
temperatures are usually
between -45° C and -51° C.
How many hero dogs do you know? Have you heard about Balto’s
story? Have you seen the movie about him?
In 1925, the little town of Nome, in Alaska, was hit by a deadly
infection called diphtheria. There was not enough medicine to cure
people, and the closest city to get supplies, Anchorage, was 800 km
away. In order to help people get the medicine sooner, it was sent by
train to Nenana, a small town closer to Nome.
The dog sled teams started carrying the medicine on routes of 35 to
80 kilometers, completing the path fragment by fragment. Togo’s team
was responsible for carrying the medicine through the longest fragment
of the route, and Balto’s team needed to carry the medicine in the last
fragment of the route. And in spite of the strong winds that lifted the
sleds and dogs up into the air, Balto and his team never gave up and
stayed on the road. The precious medicine arrived in Nome after five
days, carried by Balto’s team. It had taken five days of effort and courage
of many hearts, hands, and paws to save the lives of the people in Nome.
Balto and the other dogs became heroes.
https://bit.ly/32lhEo9
Celebrated sled dog Balto with Gunnar Kaasen.
Vocabulary
Answer True (T) or False (F). If it is false, write the correct statement.
commute. to travel regularly
to and from a place like work,
school, etc.
1. Diphtheria attacked Anchorage in 1927.
supplies. things (such as food,
equipment, medicine, etc.)
that are needed for a particular
purpose and will be used by
a particular person or group
2. Planes took the medicine from one city to another.
sled dog. a dog that is trained
to pull a sled
lift. to rise up from the ground
or some other surface
3. The medicine was transported only by Balto
4.
The distance between Anchorage and Nome was 35 to 80 kms.
paw. the foot of an animal
that has claws
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Wkimedia/commons / Brown Brothers image, website
Alaska’s harsh winter made it impossible for planes to fly, and using
the common roads would take over a month. Time was passing and
people were getting sicker and sicker. Luckily, two people volunteered
to carry the medicine with their sled dogs. The canine leader of one
team was 12-year-old Togo, an experienced dog; while the leader of the
other team was Balto, a 3-year-old inexperienced dog.
Writing
Why are the four seasons different?
Colorful Changes
Complete the paragraph with the correct comparative or superlative
form of the adjectives in the box.
hot
cold
short
dry
colorful
warm
long
Every season brings changes in the environment. The four seasons
vary according to the location, but their main characteristics stay the
same in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The four seasons are
winter, spring, summer, and fall (also called autumn).
season of the year. Some places may have
Winter is
snow or ice, while others can be very cold and rainy. Some animals
change their appearance to adapt, and others travel to
,
sunnier places. Plants do not grow. Days are short.
In the spring, vegetation begins to grow, and animals return to
warmer areas, often with their offspring. The weather is nicer than
in winter. There is more rainfall. There are a lot of brightly colored
season.
flowers: it is
season of the year. It is also the
Summer is the
season of the year, because there is almost no rain. If it
is too hot, there can be heat waves and droughts that cause problems to
people and animals. Summer usually has hot and sunny days. In some
parts of the world, the days in summer last until 9 pm. Summer has
days of the year.
Grammar Note
We use comparatives
to compare two things
or two people.
Guayaquil is larger
than Quito.
Quito is more populated
than Guayaquil.
We use superlatives to show
the difference between more
than two things or more
than two people.
Everest is the highest
mountain in the world.
Everest is the most
dangerous mountain
in the world.
,
In the fall, the weather becomes cooler and days are
as they last less time than in summer. Many trees change their green for
yellow, orange, or red and then their leaves fall.
Sources: https://cutt.ly/1fjSTbz
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Write a paragraph about what is your favorite season from the ones
described above. Write 50-60 words.
Four Seasons
Vocabulary
offspring. the baby
of an animal
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heat wave. a period of
unusually hot weather
drought. a long period of time
during which there is very
little or no rain
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Language Through the Arts
Can we make art using things we find in nature?
Painting the Seasons
Tip
Use your creativity! You are going to make some artwork to represent
the seasons. You can make a poster or a diorama.
Objective: You will be
able to tell your family
or friends about the
four seasons and their
characteristics. You can
also explain to them why
we don’t have the four
seasons in Ecuador.
Materials:
• A shoe box or carboard
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• Paint
A fox in winter
• Leaves, sticks, little rocks,
or any other material
available in nature
• Glue
Instructions:
1. Make four trees using sticks and leaves. You can paste them in the
box or on the cardboard.
2. Create four landscapes using paint, rocks, or other natural materials
you find around you.
3. Paint the leaves of each tree according to its season. You may want
to add some flowers or pictures of animals if you have them.
4. Show your artwork to your class or other classes and talk about the
characteristics of each season.
5. Talk about the seasons we have in Ecuador and discuss the positive
side of not having all four seasons.
Painting
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Write down your thoughts about this experience.
Oral Communication
Can extreme weather conditions be dangerous?
Heavy Rainfall and Its Consequences
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Have you ever seen what happens if it rains too much, or if it is too hot?
Are you prepared to act if that happens? What is the worst weather
you have seen? Discuss these questions with your class.
Flood
Pixabay/ Simon Steinberger
Listen to the news about some extreme weather conditions and the
disasters they can cause. Underline the piece of information that is not
mentioned in the news.
1. Rainstorms are needed to maintain local water supplies.
2. Too much rain affects cities and streets.
Heavy rains
3. If it rains too much, a little stream can become a dangerous river.
4. Flood warning systems can save people’s lives.
Vocabulary
5. Accidents are caused by ice and snow.
water supply. a source
of water for a community,
usually including reservoirs,
tunnels, and pipelines
6. Heavy rains can cause great damage in agriculture.
stream. a small river
In groups of three students, discuss measures that can be taken to
avoid problems if it rains too much in your community. Write down
some of your conclusions.
flash flood. a flood of short
duration generally resulting
from heavy rainfall
warning. an alarm or signal
casualty. when a person/thing
is injured, lost, or destroyed
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slippery. when something
is so wet or smooth than
it can cause something/
someone to slide or fall
soil. the upper layer of earth
in which plants grow
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Lesson B
Communication and Cultural Awareness
What can we do to reduce the impact of natural disasters in our communities?
Promoting a Culture of Disaster Preparedness
As we saw in the last pages, weather can cause natural disasters.
However, there are many other factors that can also cause these events.
Flicker/ Maarten Takens
We live on an active planet. This means that it moves and reacts.
Earth’s movements can cause changes in the weather. In addition, there
are many active volcanoes around the world, and our tectonic plates are
always moving. This is why every place in the world faces the threat
of a natural disaster. There has been major progress in technology
that can help us prevent many disasters. However, there’s still no way
to predict some events, such as earthquakes.
Planting
Besides this, the way we have treated our planet has made natural
disasters cause more destruction and suffering. This is why we have
to be more responsible about the protection of natural resources, the
environment, and nature in general.
It is important to promote better practices when building houses
or other constructions, and to be careful when choosing the places
in which we settle. Education is also a powerful tool to teach people
how we can reduce the impact of natural disasters on our lives.
There are specific institutions in our country (like the Ecuadorian
Secretariat for Risk Management) that are in charge of informing people
about ways to prevent damage and lower the impact of natural disasters.
Pick up trash
Vocabulary
tectonic plates. Large pieces
of the earth that move and
can cause earthquakes
threat. the possibility of
something bad or harmful
happening
suffering. physical, mental,
or emotional pain
2. What can we do to reduce the impact of natural disasters?
Underline the correct answers:
a. Learn about better ways to build our houses
b. Use the special equipment available to predict earthquakes
c. Take care of nature
d. Choose dangerous places to live
e. Educate people so we all know how to react if something happens.
3. Discuss these questions with your class. Then, talk to your family
and friends about disaster prevention.
d. Do you know about possible dangers in your community?
e. Do you know what to do if a natural disaster occurs?
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1. Why are there natural disasters? Use complete sentences in
your answer.
Oral Communication
Science
What happens in extremely hot weather?
Extreme Temperatures
Extreme temperatures, either too high or too low, can damage our
health and affect our normal abilities.
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Have you ever been too hot or too cold? Do we have extreme
temperatures in our country? Discuss the advantages of our climate.
Listen to the podcast and complete the following table with the mental
and physical consequences of extremely hot weather.
Mental Consequences
Physical Consequences
Vocabulary
deadly. causing or able
to cause death
dehydration. losing too
much water
tiredness. feeling a need
to rest or sleep
nausea. the feeling you have
in your stomach when you
think you are going to vomit
pulse. the rhythmic movement
of blood through your body
that is caused by the beating
of your heart and that can be
felt by touching certain parts
of your body
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chemical reaction. a chemical
change that occurs when two
or more substances combine
to form a new substance
long-term. occurring over
or involving a relatively long
period of time
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Reading
What happens in extremely cold weather?
Freezing!
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We have learned about the effects of extremely hot weather. Now
we are going to talk about extremely cold weather and how it affects
people. Have you ever experienced intense cold? What did you do?
Severely cold temperatures may affect your health. How?
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Extremely low temperatures
can affect you in many ways. For
example, they can cause something
called frostbite, an injury that
makes your skin turn red and
numb. Frostbite works like a cold
burn; when the skin is exposed to
the cold for too long, your tissues
can freeze and die. It can occur on your fingers, toes, ears, and nose. In
our country, frostbite may happen in high snowy mountains.
According to the passage,
what is the meaning of the
following words?
1. Frostbite:
Another effect of low temperature is hypothermia. This occurs
when a person’s body loses heat faster that it can be produced. It may
cause a state of shock in which the respiratory system can fail.
Your body has some ways of protecting you against the cold. For
example, shivering (which is when you tremble in the cold) helps your
body generate heat. Additionally, there are some things you can do to
protect yourself from the cold weather. In order to protect your lungs, it
is suggested to cover your nose and mouth with a scarf or any available
piece of clothing. When it is too cold, it is not recommended to practice
sports outdoors. Remember that cold weather can also cause your skin
to become dry and itchy, so you should apply moisturizing cream in the
areas exposed to the cold. Even though we don’t have extremely cold
weather in our country, if we live in high, windy cities or towns, we
have to take care of our health and wear warm clothing.
List all the recommendations of how to protect our health mentioned
in the passage.
2. Hypothermia:
3. Shivering:
Vocabulary
numb. unable to feel
anything in a particular
part of your body because
of cold, injury, etc.
moisturizing. a substance that
adds humidity or hydration to
something, like a person’s skin
lung. one of the two organs
that people and animals use
to breathe air
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tissue. the material that forms
the parts of our body
Writing
Can you describe the weather in your community?
A Postcard
Imagine you have some friends from another country that want to
come and visit your community. Their country has the four seasons,
and they are asking you to describe the weather in your city or town so
they know what to bring.
Start writing your postcard. First, write the name of your town or
community; you may also want to name one or two of its characteristics.
Then, describe the normal weather conditions in your city/town so your
friends know what to bring with them.
Hi,
!
I hope you are doing very well. I am glad you are coming to visit us. I live
in
. It has beautiful
See you soon!
Pixabay/ Nietjuh
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The weather is
Sincerely,
Vintage postal
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Language Through the Arts
Do we know how to react to extreme temperatures?
Helping the Community
Although we live in a beautiful country with nice and warm weather,
it is necessary to know what to do if we face extreme temperatures.
In order to inform other people and classmates about this, we are
going to make a poster using infographics to tell others what to do
when temperatures get too high or too low.
Materials:
• Large piece of cardboard
• Colors, crayons, markers
• Pictures you have
What are infographics?
• Glue and tape
Infographics are visual representations of complex data
or information that has to be presented quickly and clearly. They
are similar to telling a story, but with graphics and short, complete
sentences. You can create them in a computer or by drawing and pasting
pictures. All infographics must have: 1. visual elements, and 2. facts
or statistical data (numbers).
• Any other material you have
Freepik
Source: https://www.seguetech.com/infographics/
Step 1. Summarize all the recommendations
for extreme weather conditions.
Step 2. Get in groups of 4-5 students and
choose either extremely high
or extremely low temperatures.
Step 3. Prepare your infographics with the
recommendations and show them
to your teacher.
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Step 4. Present your infographics. Put them
all around the school so other students
can see them and learn about the
recommendations.
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Oral Communication
Social Studies
Are we prepared for extreme weather conditions?
Do’s and Don’ts of Natural Disasters
Due to changes both in the climate around the world and in the natural
cycles of the planet, we are experiencing more and more natural
disasters. Are we prepared for them? Do you know what to do? Share
your thoughts with the class.
Listen to experts from the Ecuadorian Secretariat for Risk Management
give some advice about actions and attitudes we need in order to be
prepared for natural disasters. Complete the chart with the do’s and
don’ts mentioned in the audio.
Don’ts
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Do’s
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Natural disasters
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Graded activities
Assessment
Achievement Level - Reading
Individual activity
Read the passage about recommendations on preparing for natural disasters. Then
organize the information in the chart below by writing the different places mentioned
and the actions we can do to be more prepared.
Governments around the world are trying to mitigate the impact of natural
disasters. International committees recommend that countries create education
programs and other information methods so that the population has access to disaster
prevention information.
The committees give different recommendations for different places. At home, we
should look for information on household survival plans, precautionary measures, and
emergency supplies. In our community, we should promote planning, education, and
preparedness in hospitals, churches, schools, businesses, neighborhood organizations,
and other groups. In schools, we need to protect children and their families through
information on natural disaster preparedness, warnings, and responses. In the
workplace, we should ensure the safety and security of workers. In universities, it is
necessary to incorporate disaster reduction in the education of all relevant professions.
The media (radio, web, and TV news) should develop procedures to inform the public
before, during, and after a disaster. Finally, professionals should provide continuous
education and information about natural disasters.
Place
Actions
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1
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What can nature do?
Assessment
Achievement Level - Grammar
Individual activity
2
Write four statements about the weather in different places in the world: two using
comparatives and two using superlatives. Example: New York is colder than Miami
in the winter.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Achievement Level - Vocabulary
Individual activity
3
Choose five words from the vocabulary studied in the previous lessons and write
a sentence using each of them showing that you understand the meaning.
1.
.
2.
.
3.
.
4.
.
5.
.
I’m completing this self-evaluation based on what I learned in the module.
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Self-evaluation
I check
Topics
I do it very well
Read and understand information related to weather
Understand radio programs with some scientific facts
Understand comparatives and superlatives
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the box that most applies to me
I do it
somewhat well
I can improve
I can’t do it
without help
Project 1
Objective
Education for Prevention
Does your school or community have prevention programs?
As students, you can start helping your community or school by organizing
prevention programs with your teacher. When people are informed, the
dangers and negative consequences of natural disasters can be lowered.
Use your creativity to inform
people in your school or
community about possible
dangers of natural disasters.
Answer the following
questions.
Step 1. Do some research about natural disaster plans in your school
or community. Are there prevention programs, evacuation
maps, safe places?
1. What did you learn about
the prevention of natural
disasters?
Step 2. Now you know what is missing and what you can do to help.
Form groups of 4-5 students. Choose the way you are going
to present this information to other people.
Step 3. Prepare your presentation. Be sure to use some type of visual
aid, and pay attention to the grammar and spelling you use
on it. Get the materials to make the model.
Step 4. Present it to the class and talk about some theories
and explanations using past modals for speculation.
2. Do you think your
community can easily
follow your plan? Why
or why not?
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EXPONIENDO
Let's Review
Reading
Writing
What Is a Polar Climate?
Read the following information about the North
and South Poles. Then, write three sentences
comparing them.
Can you imagine a place where you can make
snowmen, have snowball fights, live in an igloo, and
wear thick coats, boots, and gloves every day of the
year? There are places like this on Earth, and they
are located in the polar climates of the North Pole
and the South Pole.
Arctic (North Pole) vs. Antarctic (South Pole)
Similarities and Differences
A climate is the type of weather found in a
particular place. A polar climate is a place where
the temperature is usually below freezing. These
places are dry, icy and covered in snow most of the
year. This happens because polar climates don’t get
direct sunlight like other parts of the Earth do. Some
animals, like polar bears, live in the polar climate of
the Arctic.
1. Circle all the true statements.
a. In polar climates, you can wear any kind
of clothing during the year.
Characteristics
North Pole
South Pole
Area
55 million
square miles
(in winter)
54 million square miles
Height
2 m above
sea level
2835 m above sea
level
Temperature
+ 13° C to
-43°C
-12.3 °C to -62 °C
Animal Life
Several
species of
large land
animals
Only one species of
insect
Human life
Some native
inhabitants
No inhabitants
1.
b. Polar climates are humid.
c. There are polar climates in both the North
and South Poles.
2.
d. Polar bears live in the polar climate of the
Antarctic.
3.
2. Answer the questions with complete sentences.
a. What is a climate?
b. Why are polar climates so cold?
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Pixabay/ Efraimstochter
Osopolar
Polar bears
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Lesson C
Communication and Cultural Awareness
Can natural disasters affect culture?
Cultural Changes and Natural Disasters
Culture
Resilience: This word has
a many uses when we talk
about how people recover
after passing through bad
times. It refers to the ability
to become strong, healthy,
happy, or successful again
after going through tough
circumstances.
Culture can be understood as everything we are, eat, think, dress,
etc., as well as the place in which we live. Our surroundings are part of
who we are. When they are affected, our culture can be affected too.
Sometimes this can happen because of natural disasters.
Earthquakes, landslides, floods, heat waves, fires, and other disasters
can affect or destroy monuments, archeological sites, and landscapes.
If these places are destroyed, which can be representations of culture,
people may feel that they have lost part of their cultural identity forever.
However, human beings have always adapted and reshaped culture by
adjusting to different circumstances. Historically, large populations
have moved away and started again in new settlements, creating new
customs and building new monuments and houses. Other groups of
people have stayed in the same locations and adapted their lives to the
risks caused by natural disasters.
People experience great pain after natural disasters but the resilience
they show after the losses they face is also related to their culture.
This is because it is usually based on their beliefs and religion. We
can definitely say that the relationship between humans and nature is
essential in culture.
ik
ep
Fre
Answer True (T) or False (F). If it is false, write the correct statement.
earthquake. a shaking of
a part of the Earth’s surface
that often causes great
damage
landslide. a large mass of
rocks and earth that suddenly
and quickly moves down the
side of a mountain or hill
landscape. an area of land
that has a particular quality
or appearance
settlement. a place where
people have come to live
and where few or no people
lived before
risk. the possibility that
something bad (such as an
injury or loss) will happen
1. Monuments, archeological sites, and landscapes do not
represent people’s culture.
2. When representations of culture are destroyed, people
may feel like they lost part of their cultural identity.
3. People always move to a new location after suffering
the impact of natural disasters.
4. Culture always stays the same, even after our
surroundings change.
5. The relationship between humans and nature is not
important in culture.
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Vocabulary
tough. something that
is difficult
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Oral Communication
How many natural disasters can you think of?
Earthquake in Ecuador
Interesting Facts
The Pacific Ring of Fire,
also known as the CircumPacific Belt, is a path
along the Pacific Ocean
characterized by active
volcanoes and frequent
earthquakes. The majority
of Earth’s volcanic eruptions
and earthquakes take place
along the Ring of Fire.
Think of some natural disasters that have recently happened in Ecuador.
Where were you during the event? How do you remember it? Talk to your
teacher and classmates about it.
Source: https://n9.cl/jsbz
Pixabay /Tobamedia
Vocabulary
quake. earthquake
tremor. a minor earthquake
Pedernales, 2016
Underline the correct statement:
1. Ecuador was hit by two major earthquakes in 1987 and 2016.
2. In 2016, 70,000 people were affected by the quake.
3. 35.000 houses were damaged or destroyed.
4. In 2016, a tremor was felt in most locations of the country
as well as in Colombia and Brazil.
5. In 1987, one thousand people were killed by the earthquake.
6. In 2016, Ecuador was hit by other natural disasters besides
the earthquake.
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7. Healthcare facilities were not affected.
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Reading
Can pandemics be considered disasters?
The Black Death: One of the Most Devastating
Pandemics in History
Interesting Facts
A bird-like beak mask was
worn by doctors to protect
them from being infected
by the disease, which they
believed was in the air. To
battle this imaginary threat,
the long beak was filled
with sweet-smelling plants
such as dried flowers, herbs,
and spices.
Source: https://n9.cl/gqa2j
Vocabulary
illness. a specific condition
that prevents your body or
mind from working normally;
a sickness or disease
rodent. a small animal (such
as a mouse, rat, squirrel,
or beaver) that has sharp
front teeth
There are some illnesses that kill many people. Even though they are
not caused by nature itself, sometimes they are considered as natural
disasters because they cause a great amount of suffering. Do you know
if something like this has happened in our country?
During the mid-1300s, a terrible disease called the Black Death spread
across Europe and Asia. The disease was caused by a bacterium that
circulated among wild rodents. At that time, people were surrounded
by black rats that lived in their houses and roads—but it was not the
rats who caused this terrible disease, it was their fleas. After killing
thousands of rats, fleas looked for other hosts to live on, so they started
biting humans. The disease was spread across many countries because
of ship rats, and also because it was highly contagious. It was called
the Black Death because it caused some parts of the skin to become
black. It also caused lumps as big as oranges to appear under the arms.
Doctors could not find a cure for it, and most people died 12 hours after
becoming sick. 60% of Europe’s population was killed in this pandemic.
Sources: https://n9.cl/0vcdf
Complete the graphic organizer with some characteristics of the Black
Death. Use these questions to guide you: What caused it? Why did it
spread? What were its characteristics? How many people were killed?
flea. a very small insect that
lives on animals and sucks
their blood; it has strong legs
used for jumping
host. an animal or plant
in which another animal
or plant lives and gets
its food or protection
Black Death
bite. to press down on or cut
into something with the teeth
ship rats. rats that lived
in ships and traveled
all around the world
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beak. the hard, usually
pointed parts that cover
a bird’s mouth
threat. the possibility that
something bad or harmful
could happen
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Writing
Social Studies
Are there any famous historic natural disasters?
The Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD
Controlled writing
Grammar Note
Simple Past Passive
Pixabay / WikiImages
To make a past passive form
we use was/were + past
participle of the verb.
The passive voice is used
to show interest in the
person or object that
experiences an action rather
than the person or object
that performs the action.
In other words, the thing
or person that receives the
action becomes the subject of
the sentence.
Example:
Complete the following story about a natural disaster using the verbs
in the box in simple past passive.
change
discover
surprise
cover
throw
recover
Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano in southern Italy. It is famous for
its eruption in the year 79 AD. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius led
to some really interesting discoveries about the cities of Pompeii and
Herculaneum. Initially, nobody knew about the existence of these cities.
Then, their ruins
by accident in the 18th century; and
by what was found among them. The cities’
people
ruins had thousands of statue-like remains of the victims of the volcanic
eruption! Pompeii and Herculaneum’s citizens
by
the ash and mud of the volcano after the explosion. This ash, mud,
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and rocks
out of the volcano at temperatures of
about 300º Celsius in pyroclastic surges. It is known that there were
about six pyroclastic surges, with some periods of calm between
them. This may have caused people to stay instead of looking for
safe places to go. During the explorations, many paintings about old
Pompeii
, too. They showed how the landscape
by the powerful eruption.
Source: https://n9.cl/u5ryh
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Active: A bacterium caused
the disease.
Passive: The disease was
caused by a bacterium.
Source: https://n9.cl/ywz6b
Interesting Facts
A pyroclastic flow is a
fast-moving current of hot
gas and volcanic matter that
moves away from a volcano.
Pyroclastic flows travel
at about 100 km/h on
average, but they are capable
of reaching speeds of up
to 700 km/h.
Source: https://bit.ly/32LmEnn
Vocabulary
recover. to get back something
that was stolen or lost
Language Through the Arts
Why do volcanoes erupt?
Making a Volcanic Eruption
Volcanic eruptions happen when gas bubbles inside magma, which
is hot liquid rock, expand and cause pressure to build up. This pressure
pushes on weak spots in the earth’s surface, or crust, causing magma
to exit the volcano.
Sources: https://n9.cl/0vcdf
This experiment will help you understand how volcanoes erupt!
1. Put a container in the middle of the cardboard sheet. It can be an
old water or soda bottle with its top cut off.
2. Cover the sides of the container with clay or wet paper and glue
to create the shape of the volcano. Don’t cover the top of the
container!
Materials:
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of vinegar
• 1/2 cup of water mixed with
detergent
• Red or orange food coloring
• 2 tablespoons of baking
soda
• Clay or wet paper with glue
• A used plastic bottle or
container
3. Pour the water, vinegar, water mixed with detergent, and food
coloring into the container. Do not add your baking soda yet.
• A tissue or a small piece of
paper napkin
4. Add the baking soda when you are ready for the eruption. Simply
wrap the baking soda in a tissue and drop it into the volcano. The
baking soda will react with the vinegar and cause an eruption.
• A sheet of cardboard
Draw the steps to make a volcano erupt.
Step 1.
Step 3.
Step 2.
Step 4.
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Result
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Oral Communication
Can climate cause natural disasters?
Hurricanes, Typhoons, Cyclones, and Tornadoes
Vocabulary
Have you ever heard about hurricanes and tornadoes? Fortunately,
they are not common in our country due to its location. However,
they occur pretty often in countries near us and cause great damage
in those places.
funnel. shaped like an ice
cream cone with a tube
extending from its bottom
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Write the name of the natural
disaster under each picture.
Listen to a teacher explain the differences between hurricanes,
typhoons, cyclones, and tornadoes. Then, complete the activities.
• Complete the sentences about tropical storms:
a.
b.
c.
In North America and the Caribbean, they are called
In the Indian Ocean they are called
In Southeast Asia they are called
• Match the natural disaster with its corresponding characteristics.
Try to use different colors.
Mostly occur over the ocean.
Are violent spiraling funnel clouds.
1. Tornadoes
Last days or even weeks.
2. Hurricanes
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Have winds of about 480 km/hour.
Are larger.
Are rotating storms.
Last from a few seconds to some hours.
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Lesson D
Communication and Cultural Awareness
Social Studies
How bad can a hurricane be?
Hurricane Katrina
Interesting Facts
Natural disasters cause great damage and suffering and can also
bring changes to a population and culture. Hurricane Katrina is a good
example of this phenomenon.
It is estimated that about
2,000 people died because
of Katrina. This is in part
because assistance for the
people who evacuated
took more than a week to
arrive to New Orleans and
many died because of the
unhealthy and overcrowded
conditions.
Source: https://n9.cl/ct6tm
In late August 2005, New Orleans, a city on the East Coast of the
United States, was struck by hurricane Katrina, one of the worst and
costliest hurricanes in modern times. The city was built below sea
level, and during the hurricane the strength of the water damaged the
protection system the city had in place. This caused the city to flood.
Some people were evacuated, but some decided to stay and others could
not leave. Since the floods were not contained, 80% of the city was
covered in water in a couple of days. More than 100,000 homes were
destroyed, and more than 90% of the population left the city looking
for shelter. Today, the population in the city is 29% less than what it
used to be, however it became more diverse after its amazing rebirth.
Many people that worked in the reconstruction of the city settled there,
mixing different customs and traditions. The tourism and economy of
the city also increased in recent years, which makes it one of the greatest
revivals of a city. Now, it truly is a “New” Orleans!
Source: https://n9.cl/zt2g
Answer the following questions using complete sentences.
1. Where is New Orleans located?
Pixabay
2. Why did the city flood?
2005, New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina
3. How many people left the city because of the hurricane?
4. Why is the city more diverse now?
Vocabulary
5. Why do you think population in the city was reduced
after the hurricane?
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costliest. the most expensive
below. in a place lower than
something else
settle. to move somewhere
and make it one’s home
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Oral Communication
What is the most powerful earthquake ever registered?
The Valdivia Earthquake
Pixabay
Have you ever felt an earthquake? Was it powerful? Are you used
to feeling earthquakes? Do you know how we measure the magnitude
of an earthquake? Get in groups of three students and talk about some
of your experiences during quakes.
Houses destroyed by the Valdivia earthquake
Interesting Facts
In addition to causing
damage in many regions
of Asia and Oceania, the
tsunami arrived nearly 15
hours later in the Hawaii
Islands (which are located
10,000 kilometers away
from Valdivia) and killed 61
people and caused millions
of dollars of damage.
Chile earthquake of 1960 Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. (May 22, 1960).
https://n9.cl/wo2v3
Listen to an interview with a geologist about earthquakes on a radio
program. Which of these statements are mentioned? Underline them.
1. The most powerful earthquake in history had a magnitude of 9.9.
3. Thanks to the Richter scale, we can know the magnitude of all
earthquakes in history.
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4. Earthquakes can cause tsunamis.
5. Two million people were killed by the Valdivia earthquake.
6. The quake injured 3,000 people.
7. Countries far from Chile were greatly affected by the tsunami.
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Wikimedia commons/ Yamaguchi
2. Scientists know about natural disasters in ancient times because
of texts, paintings, and stone figures.
Kinemetrics seismograph
Reading
What is a tsunami?
The Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami
Interesting Facts
The beaches of Indonesia
are famous worldwide
because of their beauty and
comfortable resorts. From
the 5,400 people who died,
2,000 were tourists who had
been visiting the islands.
Deadly waves also reached
the coasts of Somalia,
Tanzania, and Kenya in
Africa, killing 300 people.
Do you know what a tsunami is? Have you heard about any tsunamis
that have happened recently?
Tsunamis are giant waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic
eruptions under the sea. Tsunami waves do not dramatically increase in
height while they are deep in the ocean, but as the waves travel inland,
they become higher and higher.
Source: https://n9.cl/r6qv
On December 26, 2004, an undersea area off the west coast of
Sumatra was struck by the third-most powerful earthquake in recorded
history. It had a magnitude of 9.3, and it created a massive tsunami
that killed people in 14 separate countries. It is estimated that between
230,000 and 280,000 people were killed. In some places like Indonesia,
the tsunami waves reached 30 meters in height. Images and videos
recorded by many tourists travelled around the world. Before this event
occurred, people did not know how dangerous tsunamis were; it was
only after this happened that governments from around the world got
together in a global cooperation effort for risk reduction by installing
earthquake sensors and creating early warning systems.
Vocabulary
deep. located far inside
something
inland. in, into, or toward land:
away from the coast
undersea. below the sea
or the surface of the sea
reach. to grow, develop,
or increase to (a particular
amount, size, etc.)
Circle the correct answer
• Inferring: Underline the facts you can infer after reading the text.
a.
b.
Tsunamis can be as strong as the earthquakes that cause them.
One single, powerful earthquake underwater can cause
a huge tsunami.
c. Many tourists were in safe places when the tsunami
hit the beach.
d. We can predict a future earthquake and tsunami.
e. A tsunami wave can cause great destruction.
f. Before the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake, there was no
equipment to warn countries of underwater earthquakes.
g. There was an early warning about the 2004
Indian Ocean tsunami.
h. Tsunamis cannot travel long distances.
• What is the most interesting fact you learned about tsunamis?
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Pixabay / WikiImages
https://n9.cl/d74z
warning. something (such as
an action or a statement) that
tells someone about possible
danger or trouble
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Writing
What are some of the effects of a natural disaster?
Cause and Effect
Culture
Step 1. In the graphic organizer, brainstorm ideas about natural
disasters described in the previous pages. Think of their
consequences and write your ideas in the boxes on the right.
Step 2. Take your ideas from the graphic organizer and develop them
into a paragraph of 60-70 words in your notebook. Be sure
to use the simple past passive tense as well as connectors
of cause and effect.
Step 3. Read what you have written and see if you need to change
anything.
Step 4. Exchange your paragraph with a partner. Read your partner’s
paragraph. Discuss these questions about your paragraphs
with each other:
a. Can you distinguish the cause and effects?
b. Is the paragraph well-organized?
c. Are there any grammar, spelling, or punctuation mistakes?
d. Did the writer use the correct words?
Step 5. Consider the comments from your partner and make any
necessary changes. Then turn in the final version to your teacher.
A cause-and-effect
paragraph or essay can be
organized in various ways.
https://tinly.co/6gdP1
Grammar Note
Use these connectors to
show cause and effect:
because of, in fact, in order
to, due to, as a result, as a
consequence, for this reason,
consequently, therefore.
Effect
Pixabay
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Cause
In writing, cause and effect
is a method of paragraph
development in which a
writer analyzes the reasons
or the consequences of an
action, event, or decision.
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Language Through the Arts
Can we recreate tsunamis?
Tsunami in a Bottle
Interesting Facts
“Tsunami” comes from
Japanese, and it means “wave
in the harbor.” Tsunamis
can be caused either by
underwater earthquakes or
by huge landslides on islands.
This activity will help you understand more about earthquake science
and preparedness. It can be done at any time, but make sure to do it
outdoors to have more fun and avoid making a mess indoors.
Instructions:
Step 1. Fill about ¼ of the bottle with the soil and stones. Then put
the bottle upright.
Materials:
• A 2 to 3-liter soda or water
plastic bottle
• Some small stones and soil
• Water
Tip
This activity will help you
understand more about
earthquake science and
preparedness. It can be done at
any time, but make sure to do it
outdoors to have more fun and
avoid making a mess indoors.
Step 2. Fill the bottle with water very slowly, and then keep it still
for a moment.
Step 3. Now, carefully put your bottle in a horizontal position. You will
see a small hill made up of the soil and rocks you put in. Wait
for a moment until the water is still.
Step 4. Now use your fingers or hand to press the bottom of the
“ocean” (your bottle), pretending it is an earthquake.
Step 5. Watch, draw, and describe what happened in your experiment
in the following chart.
1
2
3
4
Vocabulary
avoid. to prevent the
occurrence of (something bad,
unpleasant, etc.)
harbor. a part of the ocean,
a lake, etc., that is next
to land and that is protected
and deep enough to provide
safety for ships
still. without moving: without
motion
Describe what happened to the water inside when you pressed
the bottle.
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upright. positioned to be
straight up: vertical
hill. a formation similar to
a mountain, but much smaller
and rounder
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Oral Communication
How far can a tsunami travel?
The 2010 Tsunami in Japan
Pixabay / auntmasako
Recall what a tsunami is and how it is formed. Check the previous
information about tsunamis. Did you know that some years ago
tsunami waves arrived in some parts of Galapagos?
Interesting Facts
According to Collins
Dictionary, the large
majority of languages in
the world use the Japanese
word “tsunami” to refer to
this natural phenomenon.
The only thing that differs
slightly is the pronunciation
between different languages.
Some don’t pronounce the
first “t” sound, and some
pronounce the vowels
a little differently.
Source: https://bit.ly/3hHbLas
Discuss the following questions
with 2-3 classmates.
• Listen to the radio broadcast and complete the statements.Tsunamis
can be as strong as the earthquakes that cause them.
The effects of the enormous quake
all
around the world, from Norway to Antarctica.
b. Residents of Tokyo received a
before the
strong shaking.
c. Over
buildings were completely
destroyed.
d. Garbage from the tsunami has continued
the ocean years later.
e. The earthquake lasted for about
.
1. Do tsunamis scare you?
a.
2. What natural disasters
are the scariest for you?
Why?
• Answer the question using complete sentences.
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Do you think that early warning systems are important when facing
natural disasters? Why?
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3. Do you think there is
anywhere in the world
that doesn’t have natural
disasters?
Graded activities
Assessment
Achievement Level - Reading
Individual activity
Hero Dogs in Natural Disasters
The brave Frida is part of the Mexican Navy’s Canine Unit. She is 7 years old
and has been dispatched to a few natural disasters, including the aftermath of
the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Ecuador in 2016. The lovely Labrador retriever
helps authorities search through rubble to find survivors. So far, Frida has
managed to rescue 53 people, including 12 people in live-threatening situations.
She had a lot of tough work after the 8.1 magnitude earthquake that devastated
Oaxaca in 2017. She tried to save people trapped in debris after the deadly
earthquake killed at least 245 people and injured more than 2,000.
In Ecuador, 120 dogs that belonged to the country’s firefighter rescue
team also helped save people after the quake. Sadly, one of them died because
of injuries. The name of this hero dog was Dayko.
Trained rescue dogs are true heroes, and we have yet another reason to call dogs
wonderful animals.
Write True (T) or False (F). If the statement is false, correct it.
1. Frida is a Mexican rescue dog.
2. Rescue dogs help find survivors after natural disasters.
3. In the 2016 earthquake in Ecuador, 200 dogs helped rescue people.
4. Frida has rescued 63 people in her career.
5. Dayko was a Mexican dog that was injured and died as a hero.
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1
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What can nature do?
Assessment
Achievement Level - Listening
Individual activity
2
Listen to the audio about the most dangerous disaster that happened on Earth.
Then, infer the correct answer to these questions.
The passage is talking about:
a. A great storm
b. Asteroid impacts
The largest species killed by this natural disaster were the:
c. Dinosaurs
d. Fish
Achievement Level - Writing
Individual activity
3
Write about the most interesting fact you learned in this module.
I think the most interesting thing I learned is
because
I’m completing this self-evaluation based on what I learned in the module.
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Self-evaluation
I check
Topics
I do it very well
Understand and use indefinite pronouns
Talk about the past using “used to”
Recognize and produce the /k/ sound
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the box that most applies to me
I do it
somewhat well
I can improve
I can’t do it
without help
Project 2
Teaching About Natural Disasters
You are going to be teachers for a day! Pretend you are going
to speak to younger students about natural disasters. Using the
information you learned and extra material you find, prepare a short
class for the young students. Follow these steps below.
Step 1. Form groups of 4-5 students. Decide what natural disasters
you are going to present and who is going to do what in
your group.
Step 2. Put your information together. Use what you have learned
in class and search for additional information that you think
children would like to know. Think about how you can present
it so that it is interesting for kids. Can you create a game?.
Tip
Remember that since this
presentation should be for
little children, you should
use language that they
can understand. If you are
going to use a word that
you think they will not
know, be sure to explain
the word in a simple way.
Step 3. Make a PowerPoint or poster to use as a visual for the young
students. Be sure to include clear images and simple words so
that your visuals are easy to see and understand.
Step 4. Present your project to the class, or, if you can, to younger
students.
Notes
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Step 5. After all the presentations, discuss what information you
remember from what you saw. What made you remember it?